Creative, compassionate, and colorful-three words that make me think of my mom. She is a creative soul, always marching to her own drum and encouraging others to do the same. When I was little, she thought coloring books stifled creativity and taught me that I could color things any way I wanted. An apple didn’t’ have to be red, it could be pink, purple, orange etc. I think she hit her stride in her later years when she became a Red Hatter.

Non-judgmental and always reaching a hand out to those in need, she has been a great example to me. At times, when I was young our family would have been considered “in need”, but even in those times there were individuals that I witnessed my mom serving.

My mom is a woman of faith who spent my young life searching for gospel truths. Her faith helped build my faith. This is the gift she gave me that I most treasure.

I love you mom and am so happy you have returned home and can lay down the weight of this world.

Dinah is such a warm and giving person!   It seems like anytime I visited I left with something she wanted to give me. A few times it was a doll from her collection for our granddaughter to enjoy.  Other times, it was wonderful stories from her past life and life lessons  she learned along the way.  Maybe it was a memory of her laughter and sense of humor.  

Dave, you’re a wonderful man, such a devoted husband, and I additionally remember your kind and loving service as a member of the bishopric here in Knoxville.  

What can I say, I loved her as my own Sister,  I was her visiting sister/ministering sister for a very long time .  I knew early on that Dinah was a very special lady and a force to be reckoned with. She loved showing off her 'wallpaper', jigsaw puzzles she'd put together and mount on poster board. She was funny, kind, warm and always ready to give a hug and say I love you. 

I'm going to do my best here so that I can visit with Dinah on the other side. Maybe work a few puzzles with her again,  or color together. 

I'm gonna miss that sweet "Well hey there,  come on in !"  She love her pugs and I know that she's happy to see all of them again. There was nothing dull or boring about Dinah. You just never knew what she had up her sleeve...telling about know Arnold Palmer,  blowing up the outhouse or hanging out at the Daytona speedway or anything Disney. Telling how that handsome cowboy that asked her to dance became the love of her life.

Yes, we all are going to miss that sweet soul with a unique sense of humor and love bigger than the sky.

Til we meet again sweet Dinah...

Reflections of a life through a sister's memories (By Sharky)

As a sister, a sister-in-law in an auntie, I realize each of our reflections will be different . For me, i was the little sister with stars in her eyes when it came to her big sister.I looked up to her in so many ways.She was beautiful , vivacious , loving and I so wanted to be like her

I remember comet books that she would read to me.They often had advertisements about "the little monkey that fit in a teacup," Dinah thought that she and I should have one of those. So she wrote a letter trying her best to encourage the company to send one to her little sister.Although she did mention her little sister was in a wheelchair. Needless to say, I wasn't, and we did not get our monkey!

When we wanted to go skating at the rink, our neighbors would often find us pulling a little red wagon with vegetables from a garden piled high, hoping to sell enough to earn our skating tickets. She was such a good skater. And seemed to exhale both in skating moves as well as dancing moves! Yep, I wanted to be just like her!

She was kind to her little sister well. Most of the time, although there was a time that was an exception to the rule. We often walked thru the graveyard as a shortcut to get to the skating rink.And strangely, there was a swimming pool in the middle of it.When I inquired, she quickly told me unequivocally to never walk through our shortcut at dusk or night.Because that was when the bones went swimming to keep their bones clean and white. Certainly made an impression on my mind!

My most Vivid memory was me sitting on the bathtub rim with stars in my eyes. Watching my big sister get ready for a school dance.She had on one of the poophiest, most gorgeous gowns I had ever seen.She was beautiful and my very own Cinderella. I couldn't wait to be just like her.

Dinah, throughout her life had some hard knocks, but she always did her best to handle them the best she could and it wasn't always easy for her by any means or maybe even those around her. But when she met David Chance, he stole her heart, and while life's many challenges come and go, her love for Dave never wavered.

Thank you, Dave, for loving my sister for taking care of her through sickness and through health. You were her hero..and I know she loved you dearly as she did each and every one of the kids and grand kids

I will miss my sister very much. But will carry her in my heart always.

The angels have escorted you home , dear one!